Will Workers’ Compensation Cover Long-Term Medical Bills?

If your workplace accident was quite serious, you may be dealing with the aftermath of your incurred injuries years later. Unfortunately, in a worst-case scenario, you may deal with chronic pain and take prescription medication that is expected to last for the rest of your lifetime. While you may know that workers’ compensation is supposed to cover your initial medical bills, you may be uncertain whether this coverage will continue indefinitely. If this is your concern, please follow along to find out if workers’ compensation will apply to long-term medical treatment and how a proficient Florida workers’ compensation medical benefits lawyer at The Law Firm of Kevin A. Moore can ensure you receive the proper protections. 

Will workers’ compensation cover ongoing, long-term medical treatment?

Immediately following your workplace accident, you may use an ambulance service to transport you to the hospital, receive urgent care in an emergency room setting, undergo initial diagnostic testing, undergo a required surgical procedure, and stay overnight for observation. Rest assured, your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance should cover all these medical services. They may be easy to establish, too, as the date on your medical records may align with the date of your reported incident. 

What might get tricky for you, though, is if your treating physician recommends follow-up surgical procedures, refers you to consult with a specialist, or prescribes an ongoing pain management program. Simply put, these long-term medical treatments should continue to be covered if they are deemed “medically necessary.” Essentially, this means they are appropriate, reasonable, and required to treat your injuries, per accepted medical standards. Of course, they must also be related directly to your accident. 

How might my maximum medical improvement affect my compensation?

Naturally, your employer’s insurance carrier may attempt to limit the long-term medical coverage provided to reduce costs on their end. They may continually review your case to determine whether your ongoing medical care is still necessary and reasonable. One thing that might happen is that they will argue that you have reached your Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI). This may trigger the end of your ongoing wage-loss checks (i.e., temporary total or partial disability benefits), and you may receive a final settlement offer. 

In other words, your coverage may shift from medical care toward maintenance care. With this, your doctor may evaluate you and assign you a permanent impairment rating, which may ultimately influence the amount of your final settlement. You should not feel pressured to settle right away, especially if you believe you have outstanding medical treatments before you can feel confident you have reached the highest level of recovery possible. Rest assured, your lawyer will defend whether you still have appropriate care left.

Before you go ahead and schedule a medical appointment, consult with a talented Florida workers’ compensation medical benefits lawyer from The Law Firm of Kevin A. Moore. We will ensure you receive the medical attention you need for your physical recovery and financial protection.